How to treat for lice without touching the bird...

[IggiMom]

I suspect that my very very old Peacock has lice. I don't know for sure, mind you, but I think he might.

My birds free range, and I am somewhat handicapped anyway--there is no way I can catch him to treat.

Do any of you know any way I can treat him for lice without catching him, put something in his food, perhaps?

Thanks.

Catherine

 

[The Chicken People]

Can You get a friend to catch him?

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

I dont know if it works for lice, but I've heard (and tried it myself) of people putting water soluable ivomec into the drinking water to treat for mites.

 

[chickenzoo]

If you can't grab them, try dusting their favorite sand spots with livestock dust, so when they sand bathe they threw it on themselves.

 

[Tony K T]

Quote:
You got it.Also if you can get a container big enough for them to fit in,fill it with masonry sand and sprinkle sevin dust on top,they just might dust bath and at the same time lice themselves.
in N.H.,Tony.

 

[Eagle2026]

If they have a container that they feed off or somewhere they go into , you should put down Diatamitious Earth in said entry way or around feeder so that they have to walk in it.
The more the better!

 

[Kev]

Ivermectin will work. If they have limited access to drinking water.. you can make just one water source and medicate it.. either for several days to make sure all birds eventually drink it. Or somewhat better, withold water for a day or long enough that they will all want to drink immediately or soon after water is made available, this is more of a 'sure way' they will ingest some of the medication.

Some people inject it in treats and toss it for the birds to gobble up. Like bread, grapes, etc.

Good idea to repeat in a week or two to get the bugs that hatched after the first(or two) treatments. It's supposed to stay in mammals for 30 days, but AFAIK has not been tested in birds.

Ivomec is a common brand, but anything with ivermectin will work. Hunt around for a bottle at a price and size you are comfortable with- many livestock feed stores have it and also pet/livestock supply websites have it. Often peafowl breeders use the cattle injectable. Some use soluble.. but I tried that once, it ruined all water pans..

My condolences, I have a very old Blue male.. he was the first peacock born under my care. He has been "looking his age" lately.

 

[The Chicken People]

Wow...I cant believe the awesome advice you can gain by posting on BYC...Great ways to treat!

 

[IggiMom]

Yes--YES--awesome advice! Thank you so much, folks, and I am going to try a combo!

Catherine